Austin Riley ripped the heart out of Philly fans with that eighth-inning, game-winning three-run bomb for the Braves in Game 1, putting the Phillies’ backs firmly against the wall. The Wild Card Series is best of two out of three, though, and even after that gut punch, Philadelphia has every reason to feel good about their chances heading into Wednesday’s Game 2. It’s a brand new day, and the pitching matchup? It’s tilting big time in their favor.
Philly’s Ace On The Mound? That’s A Vibe
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel called it out: Philadelphia is sending their ace to the bump in Game 2 against Atlanta’s Tyler Mahle. And man, that’s a serious advantage for the Phillies. You can just picture Sanchez dealing late into the game, right? He’s been averaging more than six innings per start all season long, and if he keeps that up, Philly could totally cruise to a win and even up this series. He’s even a candidate for the NL Cy Young Award, though he’s likely to finish second or third behind Jacob Misiorowski. Sanchez threw a full 100 pitches just last Friday in a 2-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, which is why he wasn’t even an option for Game 1. Now, he’s rested and ready to roll when it matters most.
Sanchez Is The Guy For A Do-Or-Die Showdown
This isn’t just some random arm. Sanchez has been a beast all year. In 33 regular season starts, he posted his second consecutive season with a massive 8.1 bWAR, rocking a 2.91 ERA and only giving up 204 hits across 207 innings. When you’ve got a do-or-die game on the line, this is exactly the guy you want out there, staring down the competition. Sure, his career record against the Braves isn’t pristine; he’s 0-5 with a 3.26 ERA in nine appearances, including eight starts. But those numbers are still solid, and his overall season dominance is what gives Philly that “big edge” going into Wednesday. This is his moment to rewrite that narrative against Atlanta.
Game 2 is everything for the Phillies. Win, and they force a decisive Game 3. Lose, and their season is over, just like that. All eyes will be on Sanchez to deliver and keep their Wild Card hopes alive. You know he’s ready to bring that fire.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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